Located midway between Ottawa & Toronto, Prince Edward County makes a gorgeous weekend destination.
Journey to some of the provinces best sandy beaches at Sandbanks Provincial Park, tour art, wine and culinary trails and cycle through gorgeous, gently rolling hills! See if you can solve the mystery of Lake on the Mountain, a freshwater lake with no source at this top place to see in Canada and a rising, internationally recognized wine destination.
The county also makes for a perfect stop-over on your Niagara Falls to Quebec City Road Trip.
Explore the dunes at the Sandbanks Provincial Park
If you are planning to camp, book it as soon as the Ontario Parks Camping Season Reservation opens, as this is one of the most busiest campgrounds in the province.
Places to Visit Nearby:
Eat your way through the Taste Trail
The Taste Trail exposes the wonderful flavors of Prince Edward County. The artisan shops and ice-creameries, and the notable breweries and cideries around the area compliment the chic restaurants which coined the county Ontario’s gastronomic capital. This trail includes none other than The Vic Café, serving bistro-style eats and hand-crafted cocktails. Details
Visit the Wellington Farmer’s Market
Gourmet produce, jewellery, home-made delicacies, art, antiques, and jazz musicians – the Wellington Farmer’s Market has it all. Aiming to support small businesses and to celebrate local farmers, this open-air market is the perfect Sunday outing for families and anyone looking for a relaxing weekend activity. Details
Take in some beautiful artwork on the Arts Trail
Prince Edward County is not just artistic in its scenery, but is full of modern galleries and studios in rustic barns that showcase the unique styles of the artists around the area. The Arts Trail allows you to view these fantastic creations, or get truly creative at a workshop. Details
View the scenic Lake on the Mountain
A natural wonder of Prince Edward County, this deep blue lake is a picturesque setting for recreational activities in the park. Its most mysterious quality is the lack of knowledge about the source of the water, but nonetheless, the stunning views of the bay and Glenora ferry are timeless. Details
Sample some aperitif, ports, and dessert wines at the Sandbanks Winery
Sandbanks Winery has provided the county with award-winning wines and an area for harvesting since 2001. They offer a tasting experience both in a contemporary art gallery and in an outdoor gazebo overlooking the vineyard, as well as paired wine and chocolate tasting, and an interactive wine-making guided tour. Details
View the selection of artisan cheese at the Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company
Take a cooking class at From the Farm
Get hands-on at a cooking class at From the Farm. Classes take place in a quaint and historic 1830’s farmhouse, and all ingredients are seasonal, fresh, and locally-sourced. The site includes a vegetable garden which provides visitors with a wide variety of crisp veggies. Details
Grab a cone at Slickers
‘Pure Homemade County Ice Cream” is what Slickers is known for. Tasty and original flavors are complimented by yummy specialty waffle cones, and the atmosphere of the charming store takes visitors back to their childhood. Details
Sip some cider against the backdrop of Lake Ontario
For over 20 years, this estate winery specializes in award-winning ciders from crisp apples grown right on their own family farm and at nearby orchards. The definition of “made with love” seems to have stemmed from this magical place over-looking Prince Edward Bay. Details
Cycle along the Loyalist Parkway
Cycle through a living trail of history at the Loyalist Parkway. This parkway was an important area to Loyalist settlers and is key to genealogy and Canadian History. The route connects the cities of Trenton and Kingston and is lined with galleries, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, and cafes to visit on your way. Details
Check out “Dead People’s Stuff”
From flea market to little shop, Dead People’s Stuff is the ideal place to shop for antiques and refurbished vintage tools. Some of their stuff goes into categories like stained glass, coffee tables, vintage hats, cottage furniture, and outdoor decor. Details
Plan a visit to the Regent Theatre
The Regent Theatre can be found on Main Street, and is a center for the arts in the county. The theatre has been the venue for countless live music, dance, and drama performances, as well as first run movies, and an international satellite feed fine arts program for opera, dance, and theatre. The building is a rare and well-preserved example of an Edwardian opera house. Details
Hike the Millennium Trail
Catch a movie at the Mustang Drive-in
Support a valuable piece of the past – the Mustang Drive-in. Classic snack bar treats like popcorn, corn dogs, slushies, and soft drinks are available for you and your friends and loved ones to munch on while you catch some brand-new movies. Details
Observe some of the 350-bird species at the Prince Edward Bird Point Observatory
The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory is a registered charity that cherishes bird migration and the conservation of bird species. Not only does the scrubland boast an incredible variety of birds, it also has many key species of plants such as the glamorous viper’s bugloss. Details
You may like:
Discover Prince Edward County Wineries
Get ready for the Prince Edward County wine tour, where visitors can get a feel of the county and what it has to offer with 19 stops at vineyards, markets, parks, and important streets and areas around the Wellington district. Details
Walk through the Lavender Farm
From late June to July, the Prince Edward County Lavender Farm welcomes guests to view and walk around their incredible crops and purchase products made on-site such as sugar scrubs and tea. The multitude of colors and scents are delicate and relaxing, and a visit to the farm is a special experience as the plants take three years to mature. Details
You may like:
Play a round of mini-golf at the Caddy Shack
This family-targeted facility is a mini golf course near the Sandbanks Provincial Park, specializing in fostering a good time for all ages. The 18 mini golf holes are ideal for a day out on the course. An ice cream parlor and a chip truck on site, as well as a Summer Stage event for live bands in the evenings add to the excitement.
Pick some fresh fruits and vegetables at Campbell’s Orchards
Campbell’s Orchards aren’t just a place to pick fruit, but is a friendly orchard that aims to educate all about agriculture and take visitors on many adventures. Their most popular pick is their deliciously tart apple, but berries and veggies are no short of fresh. Details
Take a look around the Wellington Heritage Museum
This old Quaker Meeting House is now a space for exhibitions on local history. It is the best way to get familiar with the past of the Quaker community in the county, but it far from overwhelming with its bite sized collections. Details
Spent a hot summer’s day on the water with Westlake Watersports
A day out on the water is incomplete without a day on the inflatable park on water or rental from Westlake Watersports. For the last 30 years, the company has been enhancing visitors’ experiences on the waters of Prince Edward County by offering jet skis, pontoon boats, and kayaks. Details
Go on a fishing charter
Go on a fishing charter with some of the most experienced walleye charter operators in Prince Edward County. All certified marine captains are dedicated to maximizing visitor experiences by educating and teaching all how to effectively fish and enjoy the waters. Details
Play life size chess at the Casa Dea Estates’ Vineyard
Founded by an Italian native, the Casa Dea Estates’ Vineyard is one of many in a county specializing in wine, but their wines can be fabulously complimented with authentic Italian eats on their licensed patio. With over 65 acres of vines, a visit to Casa Dea is a prestigious and refined experience. Details
Sip wine and enjoy a music festival
For one week in August, BIGLAKE Festival and its partners in the community transform the lakeside village of Wellington, Prince Edward County into a canvas for performance and creativity. Enjoy concerts in an intimate outdoor setting at some of PEC’s most picturesque wineries. Details
Great selection here! So much to do! There is also an ostrich ranch in Prince Edward County where you can feed the ostriches and stand on an ostrich egg!
Thanks for including Dead People’s Stuff!